Burglar alarm

ABSTRACT

A warning device of the type intended to be utilized in connection with windows, doors and the like to give notice of unauthorized entry of the type comprising a body having means for securement to a frame adjacent the door or window and an arm hinged to the body and intended to overlie the door or the window with spring means interconnecting the arm and the body so that slight displacement of the arm causes rapid return movement thereof to the body. One of the arm or body has a striker element and the other of the arm and body has means for receiving an audible signal means, such as a blank ammunition cartridge or the like so that the rapid return movement will cause the striker element to engage the cartridge thereby causing the cartridge to fire.

United States Patent [72] Inventor PaulG.Karasrnan 3846 W. 26th St., Chicago, 111. 60623 [21] Appl.No. 811,084 [22] Filed Mar. 27,1969 [45]. Patented May 25,1971

[54] BURGLARALARM 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 116/87, ZOO/61.81 [51] Int.Cl .....G08b 13/08 [50] FieldoiSearch ll6/87,85, 86,15, 83; 42/54, 57; ZOO/61.62, 61.81, 61.82; 340/274 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 516,215 3/1894 McClintock 116/87 1,580,815 4/1926 Dunn 116/87 225,606 3/1880 Houpt... 116/87 354,919 12/1886 Manny 200/6L62X 676,744 6/1901 Gatten... ZOO/61.81 700,652 5/1902 .lanke.... 200/6l.8l

l 13,ss0,21s

Primary Examiner-Louis .l. Capozi Attorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman and McCord ABSTRACT: A warning device of the type intended to be utilized in connection with windows, doors and the like to give notice of unauthorized entry of the type comprising a body having means for securement to a frame adjacent the door or window and an arm hinged to the body and intended to overlie the door or the window with spring means interconnecting the arm and the body so that slight displacement of the arm causes rapid return movement thereof to the body. One of the arm or body has a striker element and the other of the arm and body has means for receiving an audible signal means, such as a blank ammunition cartridge or the like so that the rapid-retum movement will cause the striker element to engage the cartridge thereby causing the cartridge to fire.

Patented May 25, 1971 FIGB INVENTOR PAUL G. KARASMAN ATTORNEYS BURGLAR ALARM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to warning devices of the type which give an audible signal of an unauthorized entry through a window, door or the like. 1

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art There have been hitherto known attempts to provide a means for giving an audible signal when an unauthorized entry is attempted through a window, doorway or the like. Generally speaking, such devices are classified as burglar alarms. Perhaps the best known type of such device is that which incor porates circuitry in the door or window frame so that when the door or window in the frame is moved or broken, the circuit is activated and an alarm bell is rung.

There have been some attempts also to incorporate a means which would simulate a pistol shot or the like, such that the person who is attempting the unauthorized entry would be led to believe that he is being shot at and, therefore, would tend to flee the scene of his intended crime. Generally speaking, the

devices which were intended to simulate a pistol shot or the like proved to be inadequate in that they were not provided with satisfactory means for mounting them in association with a door or window or that they were not reliable in their performance.

The advantage of having a warning device which simulates a pistol shot or the like is twofold. First of all, there j the known advantage of providing an audible signal that someone is trying to gain unauthorized entry, to the premises. However, the second advantage is also most significant. That is, that the per- FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the door slightly opened and the warning device moved to a firing position; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of-a modified form of the warning device of this invention.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments therefor, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, the warning device 10 of this invention is intended for securement to a frame 12 adjacent an access opening occupied by a movable closure panel, such as a door 14.

The device 10 includes a body 16 shown in the illustrated embodiment as a generally hollow, boxlike member, having a through opening 16a between its ends. The body is made of a suitably heavy material, such as a cast metal or the like.

Body 16 includes a mounting portion 18 at one end and a signal portion 20 at the opposite end. Preferably, the mounting portion 18 includes a pair of spaced ears 22a and 22b, each of which is apertured to receive a suitable fastening member,

son attempting to gain the unauthorized entry does not know whether or not the shot that has beenfired has been fired by somebody within the premises or not. If the burglarthinks that the latter is the case, he will most likely tend to flee the scene and therefore the attempted burglary will be foiled.

Thus, it has become desirable to provide a burglar warning device or the like of the type which is capable of producing a simulated pistol shot when adoor, window, or the like, is opened by unauthorized persons, such device being capable of being easily mounted in a functional position, such mounting pennitting the satisfactory functioning of the device for an indefinite period of time, and such device being reliable in operation, so as to always be capable of producing the simulated pistol shot when unauthorized movement of the doorway or window jamb has occurred.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION means at one end for securing the body to a window or door frame and means at the other end for receiving a signal element, preferably a cartridge blank or the like. Intermediate the ends of the body a hammer element is pivoted and spring means are provided for biasing the hammer element when in open position. One end of the hammer element has a striker element which is intended to underlie and engage the opening in which the cartridge blank is secured when the hammer element is moved to a striking position. Preferably, the spring is oriented in an overcenter relationship so that slight movement of the hammer element will cause the spring to exert a strong return force of the hammer element adjacent the body so that the striker will engage the base of the cartridge blank with excessive force causing the same to be fired and creating the simulated pistol shot noise thereby.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS such as screws 24a and 24b, respectively, for securing the body to a frame 12. Ears 22a and 22b extend outwardly in opposite directions at generally right angles to the extent of the body 16 and includes substantially fiat, preferably coplanar, bearing surfaces, such as 26 for fiat facial engagement with the surface-of a frame 12 to which the device 10 is to be attached.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the signal portion 20 of the body includes a through bore 28 preferably of a size and shape to snugly receive a cartridge blank 20 in a force fit relationship. For example, the through bore may be circular cylindrical and of a diameter slightly undersize relative to the diameter of a 0.22 caliber rim fire blank pellet.

The device 10 further includes a movable handle or striker member 32. Hammer 32 is a generally thin, elongate tonguelike member preferably fonned of a material similar to that of the body 16. Hammer member 32 includes an end 34 which is pivoted by means of pin 36 to body 16. The interior portion of end 34 is notched as shown at 38. The free end 40 of striker element 32 is enlarged, and includes an upstanding striking surface 42, best seen in FIG. 2, being generally two right angular intersecting embossments 42a and 42b on one face of end 40.

A spring means 44 is biased between the striker 32, and particularly, the notch 38 therein and a notched portion 46 formed in the forward end or signal portion of the body 16. Preferably, this spring means is a leaf spring of spring metal but it can be readily appreciated that any other suitable spring means could be utilized.

The spring arrangement is such that when the hammer 32 is moved to a right-angular position with respect to the body 16, the spring is bowed in a state of flexure such as to cock the hammer for rigid return movement thereof. As seen in FIG. 3, when the hammer is moved to a striking position wherein it is partially within the confines of thebody and the free end 40 underlies the signal portion 20 of the body, the spring is still flexed in such a fashion as to hold the hammer in the closed or striking position. In between the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the spring moves from one side of the notch 38 to the opposite side thereof as the fiexure of the spring is changed.

when the device is installed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and jacent'the end 40 of the striker 32.

be fastened, such as by gluing or the like, to the door 14 ad- When the door 14 is moved'slightly, it, or the portion 50, will push the hammer element 32 outwardly and this will cause spring'44 to exert a strong return force on hammer element 32 bringing it up rapidly and forcefully towards the body 16. In

doing so, as seen in FIG. 3, the striker surface 42 will hit the firing surface 30a of cartridge blank 30, causing the same to explode in the well known fashion and thereby producing an audible simulated pistol shot. The movement is extremely rapid due to the strong snap action of spring 44 so that it seems to be almost simultaneous withthe occurrence of slightly moving the door 14 ajar. It can be readily appreciated that this would have a significantly frightening effect upon the intended burglar who would be uncertain as to whether or not someone from within the premises was firing at him or not. In addition, of course, a loud audible signal would be given so that others might hear the same and proceed to the area of the signal.

It is to be appreciated that the structure could also be mounted on window frames of almost any type and associated therewith so that slight movement of the window sash would cause the sufficientdisplacement of the structure element 32 so that the spring 44could return the same witha vigorous snap action to cause firing of the pistol pellet.

In FIG; 5, a modified form of the invention is shown. There the signal portion 20 has a circuit contact 50 mountedwithin the through bore 28. Portion 40 of striker 32 has a complimentary circuit contact portion 52 mounted therein. By

means of lines 54 and 56, both of these contact portions are associated with an alarm bell 58. Thus, when the striker element is moved to the position shown in FIG. 3, contact is made, the circuit is closed and the alarm bell produces the 7 well known ringing or other well known alarm sound. This sound, of course, will continue until the striker element is moved away. from the body 16. Thus, in contradistinction to those burglar alarms which are activated as soon as the door is opened and possibly deactivated when the door is closed again, such is not the case with the instant invention. Here, even though the'burglar may close the door the alarm will continue to ring due to the completion of the circuit afforded by the contact between members 50 and 52 which do not return I to their original position merely upon the reclosing of the door.

This invention provides a novel and improved warning device of the type which may either provide a simulated pistol shot, or, as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 4, a continuing audible signal which will last even though the provides window or the like through which access is attempted is closed by the burglar. The device of this invention is easily mounted to a frame adjacent a window or door and is provided with a sufficiently strong and stable mounting arrangement so as to be capable of reliable use for extended periods of time. Moreover, the mounting arrangement is such that it is virtually incapable of being tempered with by one who is attempting to gain unauthorized entry, at least not without activating the signal device itself. Furthermore, the striker element is provided with a suitable striking surface so as to insure firing of the cartridge blank mounted in the signal portion of the body as a result of the strong return force exerted by the overcenter spring biased between the striker and the body.

The structure of the device of this invention is relatively simple in nature making it economical to manufacture and therefore available to a wide class of the purchasing public. The combination of the simplicity of installation and use and the economy of manufacture and sale thereby provides to the lclaim: 1. A warning device of the type intended to be utilized in connection with windows, doors and the like, to give notice of unauthorized entry therethrough comprising: a generally elongated unitary body including a generally elongated central web having a mounting portion at one end thereof, a signal portion at the other endthereof and generally longitudinal sides therebetween, said mounting portion having a pair of cars extending transversely outwardly from opposite sides of the web for mounting the body to structure adjacent the door or window opening, said signal portion having an area for receiving noise-producing means; a hammermember pivoted to the body and having a free end, the hammer member being movable relative to the body between an open position and a closed striking position, said hammer member including embossments on the free end thereof which face in opposition to the signal area of the body and are generally in registration I therewith when the hammer member is in said closed position,

said embossments extending outwardly in multiple quadrants from an intersection with each other; means for holding the hammer member cocked when in said open position and for urging said hammer member forcibly towards the closed position when disturbed from said open position; and noise- 

1. A warning device of the type intended to be utilized in connection with windows, doors and the like, to give notice of unauthorized entry therethrough comprising: a generally elongated unitary body including a generally elongated central web having a mounting portion at one end thereof, a signal portion at the other end thereof and generally longitudinal sides therebetween, said mounting portion having a pair of ears extending transversely outwardly from opposite sides of the web for mounting the body to structure adjacent the door or window opening, said signal portion having an area for receiving noiseproducing means; a hammer member pivoted to the body and having a free end, the hammer member being movable relative to the body between an open position and a closed striking position, said hammer member including embossments on the free end thereof which face in opposition to the signal area of the body and are generally in registration therewith when the hammer member is in said closed position, said embossments extending outwardly in multiple quadrants from an intersection with each other; means for holding the hammer member cocked when in said open position and for urging said hammer member forcibly towards the closed position when disturbed from said open position; and noiseproducing means in said signal area, said noise-producing means being constructed and arranged to be activated by the free end of the hammer member when said hammer member is moved to said closed position.
 2. The warning device of claim 1 wherein said signal area includes bore means constructed and arranged to receive a cartridge blank.
 3. The warning device of claim 1 wherein the spaced ears have generally flat coplanar faces for engagement with a surface on which the body is to be mounted. 